Tag: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

Halmos College Faculty Publishes Review on Plants and Animals ‘Gone Wild’

This fall, Halmos College Biology faculty member Eben Gering, Ph.D. was the lead author for the paper, “Getting Back to Nature: Feralization in Animals and Plants” in the highly respected and widely read journal, Trends in Ecology & Evolution. The article brings together experts in animal behavior, plant genetics, and evolutionary theory to examine how feral organisms evolve after escaping into the wild.

From weedy rice to feral hogs – formerly domesticated crops, pets, and livestock are now ubiquitous worldwide. Nonetheless, their evolution is poorly studied. The new article addresses this gap by synthesizing information from disparate species, and by outlining future research avenues. This work can ultimately illuminate adaptive evolution, while enhancing our understanding of domestic organisms we rely on for food, labor, and companionship. Included in the paper is a video showing the evolutionary forces that shape feral gene pools and traits, and featuring illustrations provided by teen artists at REACH, a community art center in Lansing, Michigan.

Guy Harvey Research Institute Celebrates 20 Years

Halmos Faculty Member Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D. and Guy Harvey, Ph.D.

During November, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the NSU Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI). Housed in the Halmos College of Natural Science and Oceanography, GHRI specializes in pelagic fish conservation, or large open-ocean fish such as sharks, marlin and tuna. Their recent work focuses on satellite tagging and tracking, as well as genetic research, among other topics. They also led a team that has successfully decoded the White Shark genome, which could potentially have applications for human health research due to their low incidences of cancer and rapid wound healing.

“The work that’s being done at the GHRI is very cutting-edge, very high-level scientific research that’s had some tremendous results for the conservation of our oceans and the big animals that live there,” said Greg Jacoski, executive director of the GHOF. “I know there’s a lot of great research that the university turns out as a whole, but I think the work that is being done out of the Oceanographic Center and the Guy Harvey Research Institute specifically is some of the best going on in the world right now, and [NSU] should be proud of the work that’s being done there.”

AAUW-NSU, Halmos College, and MEEC Team Up to Build PACE E-STEAM

Eight students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for a session of the “E-STEAM (Exploring – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Project for Girls”. This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops. They started their day at the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC). There they built enrichment toys for Captain, the resident green sea turtle. Also participating in this event were NSU-AAUW volunteers Maureen McDermott Ed.D., and undergraduate students Haley Perkins and Nafisa Nazir.

In the afternoon they went to Halmos College Oceanographic Campus. Led by NSU-AAUW volunteer Melissa Dore, Ed.D., they visited the library, where librarian Jaime Goldman talked to them about 3D scanning and other technologies available in the library. Following this, they looked at deep sea fishes with Halmos College alumna Nina Pruzinsky and current MS student Natalie Slayden. After this, they learned about shark tracking from MS student Sydney Harned and corals from MS student Kyle Pisano.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been collaborating with the Alvin Sherman Library and Broward’s PACE Center for Girls, a delinquency prevention/intervention program for adolescent girls ages 12-18 since 2008. Anyone interested in joining NSU AAUW or participating in the E-STEAM Project for Girls should contact Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D. (jg1511@nova.edu).

Halmos Graduate Student

In early November, Halmos College marine biology master’s student Jessica Schieber travelled participated in the 20th Anniversary Great White Shark Expedition in Guadalupe Island, Mexico. There the group used shark cages submersibles to view and take identification photos of the sharks. In the first day they saw 16 different white sharks, three of them that had never been photo-identified.

Ms. Schieber was one of two winners of the female student research opportunity funded by the host: Marine Conservation Science Institute (MarineCSI). Applicants for the trip needed to demonstrate understanding MarineCSI’s research techniques and how this trip would propel her career forward. MarineCSI offered this opportunity because “we feel women are under-represented in shark research. How many women in leading scientific roles have you seen on Shark Week or Shark Fest?”

Ms. Schieber is conducting her thesis research on the age and growth of yellow stingray with Halmos College faculty member David Kerstetter, Ph.D.

The Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded on the belief that focused research can make a difference in how we view and manage our marine resources.  MCSI is committed to promoting important issues in marine biology and fisheries and is currently involved in research projects around the globe dedicated to protecting and conserving marine resources.

 

Halmos Faculty Questioned on Airline Drinking Water

Robert Smith, Ph.D.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, CBS4 Miami broadcasted a story about the quality of water on commercial airliners. This was prompted by a recent airline water quality study conducted by DietDetective.com, along with Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center, who rated US airlines on how their onboard tap water measures up to Aircraft Drinking Water Rules.

Halmos faculty member Robert Smith, Ph.D. was interviewed for the story, explaining the concerns of finding coliform bacteria. “They exist naturally in the environment, you can find them in soils, you can find them in water, but what they’re really worried about is that they’re often associated with poop from humans,” Smith explained. “So they’re concerned the water has been contaminated with human feces.”

That being said, he noted water quality onboard aircraft has been getting better over the years.

“For me, this is not a cause of massive concern,” Smith said. “I think since the federal regulations have been developed, the amount of these violations or amount of time coliform bacteria have been detected inside water sources has decreased substantially.”

The study recommends passengers only drink bottled water on aircraft, avoid coffee or tea and don’t wash your hands in the bathroom, use sanitizer instead. Smith agrees you should drink only bottled water but feels the coffee and tea are okay to drink and recommends washing your hands and then using sanitizer if you’re concerned.

 

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Hosts 7th Annual High School Model United Nations Conference

NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is delighted to announce that the 7th Annual NIRAMUN Conference, held on November 8, 2019 was a great success. The Nova International Relations Association (NIRA) welcomed more than 160 local high school students to campus for the conference. NIRA serves as NSU’s regional award-winning Model United Nations team.

The faculty advisor, Nelson Bass, J.D., Ph.D., was thrilled with the turnout for the event in its 7th year: “I essentially think of our annual high school conference as a mini-Shark Preview. Since 2012, we have hosted over 1000 area high school students at this event. Not only do the delegates work on valuable skills at the conference, but they get so see our beautiful campus and work with our own students.”

NIRAMUN 2019 was the largest conference held to date at NSU, and included students from 8 area schools including: Archimedean Upper Conservatory, Pine Crest School, West Broward, McFatter Technical, Fort Lauderdale High, St. Thomas Aquinas, University School, and West Boca Raton High School. The event was run by NIRA team members and directed by the NIRA executive leadership board. The board consists of NIRA President, Varsha Gopaulchan, an International Studies major, NIRA Vice-President Genesis Alvarez, a Legal Studies major, and NIRA Internal Affairs Director Kayre Alcantara Martinez, a Political Science major. During the conference, high school students act as UN delegates representing different countries and work together to solve pressing global issues while utilizing parliamentary procedure and learning valuable negotiation, writing, and public speaking skills.

For more information about NIRA, please contact Bass at nbass@nova.edu, and go to

https://cahss.nova.edu/departments/hps/community/un-competition.html

NIRA Executive Leadership 2019

CAHSS Hosts Internship Workshop for Students in the Department of History & Political Science

On October 17, 2019, the Department of History and Political Science in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) hosted an internship workshop for undergraduate students majoring in history, political science, legal studies, international studies, and philosophy. The meeting highlighted several local internship opportunities designed specifically for students in these fields.  Staff from NSU’s Office of Career Services were on hand to talk about the internship process and highlight a range of other internship opportunities available to NSU undergraduate students.

CAHSS Doctoral Graduate Dilip Kulkarni Returned to NSU to address the Social Justice Roundtable

Dilip Kulkarni, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Dilip Kulkarni, Ph.D., Ed.D., graduate of the doctoral program in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), returned to NSU to be the featured speaker at the Social Justice Roundtable (SJR) during the Fall Residential Institute. Kulkarni shared his thoughts on the important topic of “Reflective Introspection about Social Justice.” Over twenty students, alumni, and faculty participated both in person and via Go to Training. The SJR provides a forum to examine and discuss topics related to human rights and social justice.

In addition to his degree from NSU, Kulkarni recently completed an Ed.D. at Northeastern University. His other degrees include his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Bombay, India, an M.S. in civil engineering from Clarkson College of Technology (now Clarkson University), and an M.S. in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Social Justice Roundtable is open to all NSU students. For more information, please contact Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies at mckayj@nova.edu

Halmos College Hosting Coral Crisis: Issues and Response – In House and as A Webinar, Nov. 18

There’s no easy way to say it – the world’s coral reefs are in danger. Researchers from around the world, including world-renowned experts at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, have been studying corals to determine not only what is killing them but what can be done to protect and save them.

To that end, from 1-5 p.m. Monday, November 18, NSU is hosting a series of talks and a panel discussion titled, “Coral Crisis: Issues and Response.” This event will be held at NSU’s Ocean Campus, 8000 N. Ocean Dr., (in NSU’s Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center building) within the Mizell-Johnson State Park (at the entry to Port Everglades.) It will also be livestreamed as a webinar, where external participants can submit their question to the panel.

The world-renowned speakers include:

Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., U.S. Navy (ret) is Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere/Deputy Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He was previously a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, Oceanographer of the Navy, and Commander of the Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command. He has experience in weather and ocean forecasting, hydrographic surveying, policy and planning on fisheries, national security impacts of climate change, and developing the Navy’s information technology, cyber security and intelligence. NOAA is the lead federal agency for coral reefs.

Terry Hughes, Ph.D, has provided leadership in responding to global coral bleaching events caused by climate change and developed practical solutions that improve the management and governance of marine environments. The international science journal, Nature, has dubbed him “Reef Sentinel” for the global role he plays in applying multi-disciplinary science to securing reef sustainability. Hughes is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.

Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D., professor and Chair of NSU’s Halmos College Department of Marine and Environmental Science, is a global expert on effects to the changing state of coral reefs. He will speak about the state of reefs worldwide from our academic perspective and with focus on local and regional situations.

Stephen O’Brien, Ph.D., is a world leading molecular biologist, population geneticist, genetic epidemiologist and dedicated conservationist who uses molecular genetics and bioinformatics tools to help protect endangered species and to resolve genetic determinants of devastating complex diseases such as HIV-AIDS and cancers. O’Brien is professor and research director at NSU where he applies his experience to genome bioinformatics of marine vertebrate and invertebrate species in relation to ocean conservation with respect to reefs. He is an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Science.

Jennifer Koss is director of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, which is involved with providing knowledge, information, and management activities. She manages day-to-day operations, coral conservation policy development, program implementation, budget development, and personnel, as well as domestic and international partnership building and program development. She will speak on specific NOAA U.S. coral reef initiatives.

Joanna Walczak is the Southeast Regional Administrator of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). She oversees multiple programs in the department’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection’s Southeast Region – Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves, Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, Florida’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, Lignumvitae Aquatic Preserve, and is the state co-manager of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. She is the point of contact for the State of Florida on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee. She will speak on Florida-specific coral reef initiatives.

For people who cannot go to the Oceanographic Campus, or cannot stream it, Halmos College is hosting a viewing event on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus in DeSantis Room: 1133. Questions maybe emailed to ocadmissions@nova.edu.

Streaming link: https://sharkmedia.nova.edu/media/NSU+Live+Events/1_w0dvjqjp/35886881

The health of the oceans depends directly on the health of the coral reefs – as does the health of many countries economies.

Halmos College Faculty and Students Present at Microbiology Meeting

2019 Microbiology

From October 11-13, 2019 several Halmos College students and faculty presented at the Florida Branch American Society for Microbiology (FLASM) Meeting in Clearwater Beach, FL. Halmos College faculty member Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D. is the Vice President of FL ASM and was a co-organizer for the meeting.

Along with co-organizing the meeting, Dr. Garcia also lead a workshop on science communication which included her presentation, “10 Tips for Giving a Great Scientific Talk”. Four Halmos College students presented at the conference.

MS in Marine Science Student Deepesh Tourani was awarded PAN-SGA and FLASM funding to attend the conference and presented his talk: “Functional Dynamics of Microbial Communities Characterized from the Northern Gulf of Mexico”. His research was conducted under the supervision of Jose Lopez, Ph.D. Two students from Dr. Garcia’s class presented individual research posters. Junior student/ Biology major Sukriti Prashar was awarded PAN SGA and FLASM funding to attend the conference and presented “Characterizing the Mechanism of Inhibition Exhibited by Dipropionate on Yersinia pestis Type III Secretion”. Junior biology and behavioral neuroscience major Jessica Hallett was awarded FLASM and Farquhar Honors College funding to attend the conference and presented, “The Race to Find Novel Antibiotics Produced by Soil Bacteria from Horse Stalls”. Sukriti won 1st place for Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation.

Senior biology major Sujad Younis was selected for the Biology Student Award which funded his travel to the conference where he presented the talk, “Investigating the antibacterial effectiveness of placental tissue components on antibiotic resistant bacteria”. Sujad conducted the research with Dr. Garcia and Dr. Wendy Weston’s Lab in NSU’s Cell Therapy Institute. Sujad won 1st place for Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation.

FLASM promotes microbiology education and research in Florida through meetings, discussions, and publications. Their members represent the many diverse areas of microbiology including virology, metagenomics, clinical, environmental, basic research, education, industrial, bioenergy, veterinary, and more.

For more information: https://www.flasm.org/

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